Just two weeks before Election Day, former President Donald Trump announced his “complete and total endorsement” of Republican Secretary of State candidate Kim Crockett.
Trump posted his support for Crockett on the conservative social media site Truth Social on Tuesday, calling her a “strong, wonderful woman” who will “do a great job in that very important position.”
As a result of his endorsement, Minnesota’s normally sleepy secretary of state race is receiving national attention this autumn, one of only a few state races that national Democratic groups are trying to target.
“I was pleasantly surprised to learn President Trump endorsed me this morning. I appreciate this unexpected vote of confidence. If Minnesota voters choose me, I will be the next Secretary of State of Minnesota.” Crockett continued.
She is challenging two-term DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon on a platform of tightening voting restrictions, which she believes will boost confidence in the system and reduce “conversation” around state elections. Crockett was a former Deephaven City Council member who worked for the Center of the American Experiment for years.
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However, she’s also undermined that system after some voting protocols were changed to accommodate concerns over COVID-19 spread in polling places and described the 2020 election as “lawless” and “rigged.”
As he explained in his endorsement, Trump falsely described Minnesota as a state “where Election Fraud is rampant but little is done about it.” “Kim will get to the bottom of it and much more,” he wrote.
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Among the 3.3 million votes cast in Minnesota in 2020, there were only 17 convictions for voter fraud-related crimes.
Trump’s “dangerous lies” about the 2020 election were responsible for the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, DFL Party Chair Ken Martin said in response to the endorsement.
While Trump has campaigned heavily in other states’ elections this cycle, including neighboring Wisconsin, he hasn’t been active in Minnesota. Republican candidate for governor Scott Jensen said Friday that he didn’t expect the former president to endorse him or visit the state in the final weeks of the campaign.